Why are many Christians so intolerant of other religions and spiritual paths?
- Thread starter Cliffy
- Start date
Let's get a couple of things straight, first he's NOT old and second he's one of the mellower members on the forum, perhaps even second to yours truly.
Etymology (word origins and history) and lexical semantics (word meanings and word relations) may be helpful to this discussion.
Christ (etymology)
Old English Crīst, from Latin Christus, from Greek Khristos, noun use of an adjective meaning ‘anointed,’ from khriein ‘anoint,’ translating Hebrew māšīaḥ ‘Messiah.’
Christian (etymology)
late Middle English: from Latin Christianus, from Greek Christianos (see Christ).
The title "Christ" given to Jesus of Nazareth has Hebrew origins. That explains why the Hebrew portion (Torah) is included in the Christian Bible. The Hebrew context is essential to understanding Christ.
"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:26b NIV)
"It is here that the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ were first called 'Christians'. I do not think this was a term of ridicule. I think it simply meant that these were the ones who were the followers of Christ, they were Christians." (J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary)
Christians are believers and students/followers of Christ. By association, we would expect Christians to resemble Christ. That is His expectation as well:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 'Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:15-23 NIV)
Christian conduct (objective) proceeds from Christian confession (subjective).
I work in emergency medicine. At least once per shift, I encounter a patient whose conduct does match his/her confession. The confession: "I have 10/10 ______ (fill in the blank) pain." The conduct: texting on a cell phone while inquiring about the type of soda or sandwiches available in the ED today. In addition, I note normal vital signs and no guarding, grimacing or groaning with these activities. I discern (without saying so) that either the patient does not understand the 0-10 pain rating scale or is seeking something other than physical pain relief.
This same subjective/objective dichotomy occurs in the spiritual realm. Claiming Christ ≠ Christian.
"Why are many Christians so intolerant of other religions and spiritual paths?"
Many who claim Christ are not Christian.
Christ (etymology)
Old English Crīst, from Latin Christus, from Greek Khristos, noun use of an adjective meaning ‘anointed,’ from khriein ‘anoint,’ translating Hebrew māšīaḥ ‘Messiah.’
Christian (etymology)
late Middle English: from Latin Christianus, from Greek Christianos (see Christ).
The title "Christ" given to Jesus of Nazareth has Hebrew origins. That explains why the Hebrew portion (Torah) is included in the Christian Bible. The Hebrew context is essential to understanding Christ.
"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:26b NIV)
"It is here that the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ were first called 'Christians'. I do not think this was a term of ridicule. I think it simply meant that these were the ones who were the followers of Christ, they were Christians." (J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary)
Christians are believers and students/followers of Christ. By association, we would expect Christians to resemble Christ. That is His expectation as well:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 'Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:15-23 NIV)
Christian conduct (objective) proceeds from Christian confession (subjective).
I work in emergency medicine. At least once per shift, I encounter a patient whose conduct does match his/her confession. The confession: "I have 10/10 ______ (fill in the blank) pain." The conduct: texting on a cell phone while inquiring about the type of soda or sandwiches available in the ED today. In addition, I note normal vital signs and no guarding, grimacing or groaning with these activities. I discern (without saying so) that either the patient does not understand the 0-10 pain rating scale or is seeking something other than physical pain relief.
This same subjective/objective dichotomy occurs in the spiritual realm. Claiming Christ ≠ Christian.
"Why are many Christians so intolerant of other religions and spiritual paths?"
Many who claim Christ are not Christian.
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They're not riddles, I'm functionally illiterate. I cannot also reliably judge yore state of mind, neither. Schweitzer,s confirmation of the force called christ bolstered my theories, both those adopted and those personally deciphered by laying on of hands and feet. So as I understand your position as regards that force at large in the universe we are in partial agreement, only. The details themselves have to be worked out. We will need exorcism supplies and some quills for that. I don't foresee much trouble.
They're not riddles, I'm functionally illiterate. I cannot also reliably judge yore state of mind, neither. Schweitzer,s confirmation of the force called christ bolstered my theories, both those adopted and those personally deciphered by laying on of hands and feet. So as I understand your position as regards that force at large in the universe we are in partial agreement, only. The details themselves have to be worked out. We will need exorcism supplies and some quills for that. I don't foresee much trouble.
Excellent! We need some candles.
I see I have perhaps misread your post. I do not find you to be functionally illiterate. You sort of wig me out with all your talk of electricity.They're not riddles, I'm functionally illiterate. I cannot also reliably judge yore state of mind, neither. Schweitzer,s confirmation of the force called christ bolstered my theories, both those adopted and those personally deciphered by laying on of hands and feet. So as I understand your position as regards that force at large in the universe we are in partial agreement, only. The details themselves have to be worked out. We will need exorcism supplies and some quills for that. I don't foresee much trouble.
I never did much study on Schweitzer. Not sure where he lands once his head deflates.
Electricty should always be capitalized. When you communicate with me would you mind substituting the word Electricity or sun or light for god jesus,christ,lord, saviour, etc. I am a follower of the one true proven factual unfailing omnipotent God.
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War is stupid,yes. How does welcoming draft dodgers and deserters make one pro war? Also, I was talking about doukobors but I do agree with their sentiment.
As for The Smack man, I believe in reincarnation. My soul is that of an aboriginal in a white man's body but I am aboriginal in many other ways. I know that is hard for most people to understand and I do not expect them to. I know who I am and that is all that matters. What others think is of no consequence.
Damn! You should run for the US Senate seat in Massachusetts!
That's what she said
"I know who I am." (meaning she's an American Indian)
And she kicked azz in the election too!
BS. You were complaining about me and another poster. That's off topic.
I don't think so either.
I can see how you'd think so, but is it really hypocritical if one doesn't believe in the stuff, literally or figuratively? I don't think so.
Damn! You should run for the US Senate seat in Massachusetts!
That's what she said
"I know who I am." (meaning she's an American Indian)
And she kicked azz in the election too!
I think Indians and N American aboriginals would find her statement puzzling. I am somewhat scepticle msef. Of course we cannot see nor dissect her soul. Fresh souls are equal and depart the happy hunting grounds for earth indistinguishable from every other infant sun I am led to believe.
It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
I do not wish to offend you Beaver, so I shall capitalize Electricity if you wish. But, I can not substitute the name of Jesus.
Have to allow the Beav a little slack alright. He's a afficionado type connoisseur of the mind altering substances. 
Anyway, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet ( kudos to Billy S.)
Anyway, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet ( kudos to Billy S.)
Have to allow the Beav a little slack alright. He's a afficionado type connoisseur of the mind altering substances.
Without the leave of Lord Electro none of my organic angel helpers would have any effect.
I am not offended, on the contrary, I am sorry if my sense of humour might have offended you. The name Jesus is itself a substitution for that power we're talking about and there are more than thirty such substitutions in the bible itself. Truly salvation is found nowhere but through the one spark already in you from conception. We are born again when we rediscover that self contained power.
JC=Julius Ceasar
Beavs - Here I beg to differ. We are sparkless at conception. Rather, at some appointed time the Holy Spirit hand delivers the "spark" and ignites it. That is to say brings to life - Born Again.Without the leave of Lord Electro none of my organic angel helpers would have any effect.
I am not offended, on the contrary, I am sorry if my sense of humour might have offended you. The name Jesus is itself a substitution for that power we're talking about and there are more than thirty such substitutions in the bible itself. Truly salvation is found nowhere but through the one spark already in you from conception. We are born again when we rediscover that self contained power.
JC=Julius Ceasar
I don't mind your sense of humor. I just have trouble differentiating jest from belief.
Well, I'm CJ - perhaps that should give you pause. Maybe I just flipped the letters to be all stealthy. Ahh Ha! Don't think our merciful Savior doesn't seek the lost with all means.
I must recant my silly joke. I wish not to dance so close to blasphemy.
lol Actually the egg cell and the sperm are already alive, as is the cell resulting from the sperm's penetration of the egg cell. So abiogenesis on Earth was way back some 3.5 billion years ago.